Minister says Croatia building bridge on its territory, not threatening Bosnia's rights

Transport Minister Oleg Butkovic said on Monday Croatia would build the Peljesac bridge on its territory and that its construction would not threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina's rights, as "we will free Neum (BiH) security-wise and connect our territory, so both countries will benefit."

He was responding to requests from the press on the island of Krk for a comment on BiH Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic's latest statement on the construction of the bridge and ensuring open sea passage.

"Croatia is building the bridge on its territory. It's 500 metres from the demarcation line, which is being applied, although it hasn't been ratified in parliament. Negotiations were held back in 2006 about the technical aspects, the height of the bridge and the width of the waterway so that BiH will have the right to innocent passage. Therefore the construction of the Peljesac bridge doesn't threaten any BiH rights. Quite the contrary, we will free Neum security-wise and connect our territory, so both countries will benefit from it," said Butkovic.

The border issue will be resolved in good neighbourly and bilateral relations, as always, and linking the construction of the bridge and the application of the border agreement is unfair, he added.

(Hina)